Commercial Programme Lead

Company Description

Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

We offer a competitive salary (£48,558 to £60,698) and an annual incentive related bonus (£1,000 maximum), an attractive pension scheme, development opportunities, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day, life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary, a benefits package that includes a health cash plan, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex, partner cover, a retail savings scheme, an online GP service, a cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more.

This role will initially be based in Bradford but will move to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026; you will be based there in the future.

Permanent, 37 hours per week, Monday‑Friday working rolling 4‑day week to core hours. You will need to participate in an out‑of‑normal‑working‑hours standby call‑out rota and be flexible to work outside of core hours.

Over 5.4 million people in the Yorkshire region rely on our services. We provide essential water and wastewater services, protect the environment and plan to look after Yorkshire water 24/7, 365 days a year. The Commercial Assurance function is a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

• Lead the commercial transformational programme, taking projects from inception to completion, ensuring delivery within budget, on time, and in compliance with contractual obligations.
• Bridge project delivery and commercial assurance, driving value, managing risk, and ensuring robust governance.
• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate smooth operations and effective project delivery.
• Manage a cost‑intelligence programme of individual projects (Cost Intelligence Dashboards) that confirm supplier payments align with commercial agreements.
• Ensure the commercial project pipeline is managed to time, cost and quality.
• Take a leading role in organising and facilitating the Commercial Governance Forum, tracking key decisions to drive sustainable business outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal teams such as legal, finance, procurement and operational delivery.
• Manage programme/project risks, issues and dependencies in line with business targets and realise opportunities for performance improvement.
• Accountable for accurate forecasting and reporting of key project information to programme‑level reports and governing boards.
• Lead and guide a diverse team of project resources, maintaining a can‑do attitude to problem‑solving.

• Detail‑oriented, meticulous attention to detail and commitment to high‑quality work.
• Highly organised, effective time manager with the ability to multi‑task.
• Strong programme management skills with experience managing complex programmes.
• Proactive, self‑motivated and able to identify opportunities for improvement and drive change.
• Commercial acumen – deep understanding of commercial and procurement processes, contract management, negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Analytical thinking – strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, data‑driven decision making.
• Team player, collaborative approach, effective cross‑functional teamwork.
• Adaptability, able to adjust to changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Stakeholder management, developing and maintaining relationships with colleagues and customers.

• Experience managing transformational programmes in large organisations.
• Qualification in change‑management practices or project‑management disciplines.
• Previous experience in the water or utility industry.
• Knowledge and understanding of commercial governance and policy procedures.

Closing date for this role is 2 December 2025. Interviews will be held throughout December. Successful candidates will undergo pre‑employment checks and possibly security vetting. All roles are subject to a medical questionnaire and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

No agencies please.